New Feedburner feed, and "What Is FRRIPnet?"

Since I just started feeding through Feedburner.com, I'm going to post what this project is all about for those that might be looking at the feed rather than the blog.

What is the FRRIP net Project?

FRRIP stands for First Responder Radio IP, and FRRIPnet would be a network composed of hand-held communications units that also acted as network traffic routers. In other words, a FRRIPnet handset would use native VoIP technology, and the handsets would BE the network.

FRRIPnet handsets would also be able to utilize any available WiFi access point or cellular tower connection to relay traffic.

Priority would be given to FRRIPnet over all other traffic.

FRRIPnet handsets would be universally used by ALL United States emergency service agencies, such as police, fire, National Guard, FEMA, and local emergency management personnel. FRRIPnet would also be used by essential government officials at all levels.

Each FRRIPnet handset would have a unique identifier on the national network, which would include state, municipality or county, agency, division, and agent information.

FRRIPnet handsets would be security coded by emegency personnel and their immediate supervisors or a dedicated coding agent to allow use only by the authorized user. An emergency "guest user" mode would be available, and all traffic generated in that mode would be clearly flagged as such. Additionally, network locator mapping functions would be disabled in guest mode to prevent hostile use of this function should a FRRIPnet unit be stolen. The network could map the guest handset, but the guest handset could not see the network map.

Simply put, if FRRIPnet is developed, no First Responder group would be unable to contact another, nor be unable to contact at least one other unit on the network.

This would completely eliminate this issues with emergency workers not being able to establish cross-agency communications, or reach out and call for help.

FRRIPnet would need an effective communications range of at least five and preferably twenty miles.

This would allow un-interrupted communications throughput because it would be almost unheard of for one handset to be out of range of at least one other handset, WiFi point, cell tower, or commsat - and therefore it would be almost unheard of for any FRRIPnet device to lose connectivity to the network.

Additionally, FRRIPnet sets could be bluetooth connected to hands-free headsets and agent bio-monitors, allowing the network to self-generate a map of FRRIPnet agent locations and vital statistics via a rendundantly-located central mapping processor.

Additionally, this capability would allow a fully-integrated multi-agency directory of contacts.

Military FRRIPnet sets would also have the option of shutting down locator keep-alive and biometry signaling in potentially hostile situations. A "burst" mode could also be configured, allowing brief bursts of encrypted telemetry to be sent to the network if the agent so chooses.

The FRRIPnet Project is a call for open-source developement of the technology and signaling standards needed to make FRRIPnet possible.

If you are interested in doing development on FRRIPnet, please e-mail Dan Stafford at aqmstaffo@mailbag.com with "FRRIPnet team request" in the subject line.

This is a NOT FOR PROFIT project looking to provide first responders with a valuable tool to avoid difficulties that hampered both 9/11/2001 and hurricane Katrina rescue efforts as well as others.

All work on this project will be on a volunteer-only basis. None of us will make a dime off this project. Understand that from the start. This is strictly about saving lives.

As FRRIPnet will be developed in a team blog format, all those who work to help develope FRRIPnet will have access to a log of exactly what they deserve credit for helping with. Put it on resume's or whatever you wish.

This country can work miracles when we work together, indeed, this world can. It's time to make this one happen.